A study was conducted to examine the contemporary differences in the response of black and white wives to factors that play a determining role in the decision of a wife to seek paid employment. Data, in the form of husbands' responses to interviews, were collected from a national sample of husband-wife families who resided in the continental United States. Fourteen major variables were examined and were organized into four groups: (1) family, (2) economic, (3) environmental, and (4) labor force. The research findings indicated factors important in determining the employment of black wives are not the same as those relevant to whites and the factors important to both groups have different influences on each race. Recommendation for changes in certain laws and social policy (social security laws, income tax laws, employer's maternity practices, and unemployment) were made based upon the findings. (JH)

Note: Paper presented at a conference sponsored by the University of Michigan Center for Continuing Education of Women (Ann Arbor, Michigan, January 17, 1978); Tables in this document will not reproduce well due to small print